Plants Arrived

[jaycat]

Hi,
I know my tanks maybe puts me to shame amongst you guys, but I'm not too hot on the plants!! (Yet)
After advice I ordered Wendtii and another whose name escapes me (sorry)

I have to say the plants that 'plants alive' sent me are very small even though they charged me £15 for them!

Planted today, again not too hot on aquqscaping! Wanted to move middle sword, but it is firmly rooted, and I did not want to disturb.

Here is 1 pic of how it was before, and 3 of now. I will take some more in a few weeks.
Before

Now

Now

Now

Please feel free to comment, are they close enough?
Do you think they will grow?
Should I move any? Etc..etc..
Do I need more?
If yes any advice as to on line shop, fed up of 'plants alive'

Thanks Jackie

 

[aaronnorth]

well you need more, aim for 50% substrate coverage, try planting in groups aswell for a more filled out look. From anyonline shop, most of the plants will be small, greenline are good but if you want the best quality plats then use tropica from aqua essentials & the green machine:

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...x&cPath=255

http/www.thegreenmachineaquatics.com/e_w...at_name=Tropica

aqua essentials also do XL plants which are already grown to a verly large size so you can set up your planted tank instantly without waiting for the plants have to grow.

 

[Wolfenrook]

Definitely needs denser planting. No need to go to the expense of Tropica plants though unless it is a variety that is only available from them. I have been using Greenline for years and have found them to be of just as high a quality.

Mainly you need more fast growing plants, especially stem plants for the back, as even if you don't like these you can replace them with something more to your tastes as time moves on. But you definitely need the biomass that the fast growing plants will give you early on. Oh and some moss would look really good on that wood, especially with some java fern (windelov variety is especially attractive).

Ade

 

[jaycat]

Hi, what do you mean by biomass? Ideas for plants for backgroud please?

Thanks

 

[Wolfenrook]

Sorry, put simply it means how many plants you have in your volume of water. As Aaron says it's often best to aim for at least 50% substrate coverage from the off.

Some good plants for the background that are VERY easy to grow

Hygrophila Difformis (water wisteria)
Hygrophila Polysperma
Ludwigia Natans
Ludwigia Mullerti
Echonodrous Paniculatus/Bleheri (a caution, these get HUGE!)
Vallisneria Spiralis (if you live in an area with medium to hard water, drops dead in soft water usually)

All of these are very fast growing plants to the point where you really have to keep on top of pruning them as otherwise they either grow out of the top of your tank, or wrap themselves around and around the surface of the tank cutting off the light. They are ideal plants though for getting the 'biomass' of your planting up quickly as you can just plant the cuttings and these will grow just as quickly, filling a lot of space in a short time. They are also very very cheap to purchase.

Ade

 

[jaycat]

Thank you

I have kept tropical fish for years, but never really ventured into the plant aspect of the hobby.

Jackie

 

[Wolfenrook]

You're gonna love it Jackie, plants really do put the icing (and the cherry) on the cake of the hobby in my opinion. Oh and you don't have to spend a small fortune or be an expert to get a nice looking tank.

Oh, and my wife always asks me why I spend so much on lighting and fertilisers to make my plants grow when all I do is chop most of them off and chuck them in the bin. lol

Ade

 

[jaycat]

Hi Aaron and Ade, thanks for your ideas, also Andy and Chrissi. Much appreciated.

Jackie